Chapter Text
“What’s wrong? Tell me now,” Taehyung plopped down on the couch beside Jungkook and placed the bowl of freshly microwaved popcorn on the centre table.
Jungkook’s eyes were focused on the Netflix movie playing on his huge smart TV while holding his second can of beer. Being friends with this man since their teenage years, Taehyung knew that he has something to share if he spontaneously calls for a movie night with lots of food and drinks.
“Ha Eun. She broke up with me today,” he said without moving his eyes off the screen. He took another gulp from his drink before letting out a heavy sigh.
“She… what?” He heard the alpha, but he could not make sense of what he just shared. “How… I mean… I thought you were about to propose to her?”
Ha Eun is an omega and Jungkook’s long-time rut partner. They were exclusive to each other, which is ideal in their line of work. She is a model and social media influencer, while Jungkook is a director for TV commercials, music videos and independent short films. As far as Taehyung knew, they cared a lot for and were contended with each other, to the point that they were ready to take their relationship to the next level – mating.
“I felt like she wanted me to propose to her,” the alpha shrugged, “Well… good that I didn’t yet, because I read it all wrong apparently. When she talked about the future, it was her future. She is leaving Korea.”
“Oh, Kookie… I’m sorry…” He snuggled closer when Jungkook dropped his empty can of beer on the floor and the man automatically wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. Subconsciously, he also released comforting pheromones that will ease whatever negative emotions the other has.
“Nah… I guess it was not really meant to be.”
“Still… You spent more than 2 years with her.”
“Mostly apart, you know that.”
That was true. He knew the couple were so busy with their individual careers and barely saw each other. They were present during each other’s rut or heat though. Partly the reason also why they never referred to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend are Ha Eun’s contracts with brands – some are particular that she remains unattached or she cannot get pregnant.
“You planned on spending the rest of your life with her. That must have hurt…”
“Hey, I’m okay,” Jungkook chuckled. “I just want to eat some more and drink. And that’s why you are here.”
Taehyung nodded and grabbed the bowl of ramyeon for his best friend, then a gimbap for himself. They continued to eat in silence, eyes on the movie he barely understood. His mind still reeling with the news.
Ha Eun is leaving… Jungkook will remain un-mated…
At the far corner of his mind, he knew he should be happy. He would still get to keep Jungkook close, spend more time with him, and… hope a little? But the bigger part of his mind was occupied with his current situation, something that the alpha was not yet aware of, and he does not know yet how to tell him without being bombarded with questions.
After finishing his gimbap, he took a glass of iced tea which he especially prepared for himself.
“Hold on – why are you not drinking? I thought we’re in this together?” Jungkook finally noticed.
“I… There’s an early meeting tomorrow that I need to facilitate,” he excused. “I can’t be hungover.”
“You haven’t had even just half a can. I finished three now. Can’t you do at least one?”
“Not tonight. Next time.” His eyes averted Jungkook’s stare and picked up some popcorn to fill his mouth. He took a mental note to drink plenty of water too later.
“Uh… I’m not breaking-up again anytime soon.”
Taehyung’s brows raised. “Who said we need that excuse to drink? You underestimate us.”
“Fine,” the alpha opened his fourth can of beer.
They continued munching on the snacks all over the table and did not mention about Ha Eun anymore. It was like an unspoken agreement.
When the movie ended, Jungkook turned off the TV and brought the rest of the trash to the kitchen where he has started washing the dishes.
“Stay the night. It’s late and not safe for me to drive for you,” he heard the alpha said from behind him.
“No, I can manage. Don’t have a drop of alcohol in my system, I’m fine.”
“Thanks for reminding how you let me down today. You owe me.”
He grinned. “I do.”
When both the kitchen and the living room were spotless, Taehyung put on his shoes and picked up his bag.
“I’ll walk you to the lobby,” Jungkook volunteered.
“No need. Stay here. Clean up.”
“What’s to clean up?” he looked around. “You did everything - thank you very much.”
Walking out the door, Taehyung gave one last jab. “Yourself. You stink now. Good night.”
“I don’t!” Jungkook complained as he smelled his shirt and watched him walk down the hall to the elevators.
“Message me when you get home!”
“Okay!”
*****
Taehyung’s mind wandered as he was seated at the backseat of the cab on the way home. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions for him the past couple of months – all because of Jungkook.
“I think Ha Eun wants to settle down…” he told him one night over coffee, after the alpha dropped him off his apartment from their weekend night out with friends.
“She said that?”
“Vaguely. She said her current contracts are ending soon and she’s thinking about what’s next. I can get hints, you know. Maybe it’s time we act on this thing we have going between us.”
“Maybe you should,” he replied, opposite to what he actually felt.
As if he was not hurting enough for almost two years since Jungkook got together with the stunning omega, this bomb had to drop. He knew it would come to this… of course, he knew. Jungkook was not the kind of guy who slept around or jumped from one relationship to another. While other alphas use their innate confidence and influence to hook numerous betas and omegas, Jungkook focused his energy on his career. He has always been passionate about photography and digital arts since they were younger, and his drive even doubled after he presented as an alpha. He graduated from college and immediately took his master’s degree while doing apprenticeship with the biggest advertising agency in Asia Pacific.
Ha Eun was the first and only person he got intimate with. The fact that he settled exclusively with her already broke Taehyung’s heart which his best friend owned for years. After presenting as an omega at 19, his view of Jungkook – who was younger by two years – suddenly changed, because the treatment he got from the other also levelled up dramatically. The then would-be-alpha became more protective and more attentive to his needs. The cruel side of being a male omega in the society was not unknown to him, and he took it upon his shoulders to take care of Taehyung in whatever ways he can. They became each other’s family in Seoul, away from their families who were in Daegu and Busan.
Now, here he is. While Jungkook is not getting mated anymore, his chance of being considered and accepted by him beyond friendship did not get any higher either. Once the alpha learns about his situation, he will be utterly disappointed – repulsed even.
Because after Jungkook decided to propose to Ha Eun, Taehyung also decided on one thing that changed his life forever… His best friend has to know this soon, but never the real reason behind it.